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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 01/07/2025Approved Minutes Eden Prairie City Council Meeting 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 City Center Council Chambers 8080 Mitchell Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 ATTENDEES City Council Members: Mayor Ron Case, Council Members Kathy Nelson, Mark Freiberg, PG Narayanan, and Lisa Toomey City Staff: City Manager Rick Getschow, Public Works Director Robert Ellis, Community Development Director Julie Klima, Parks and Recreation Director Amy Markle, Administrative Services/HR Director Alecia Rose, Police Chief Matt Sackett, Fire Chief Scott Gerber, and City Attorney Maggie Neuville MEETING AGENDA I. Call the Meeting to Order Mayor Case called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. All Council Members were present. II. Pledge of Allegiance III. Swearing In of Council Members Narayanan and Toomey City Attorney Maggie Neuville conducted the swearing-in for Council Member Lisa Toomey and Council Member PG Narayanan. IV. Open Podium Invitation Case read a statement regarding two incidents of threatening language used at the previous City Council meeting. He explained the role of the Council in setting the levy and the impacts on household taxes. The Council expressed its commitment to representing the best outcomes for the most people across Eden Prairie. He implored community members to respect democratic principles and to prioritize kindness. Freiberg noted he was shocked with the incidents. People can agree to disagree with any level of politics. Nonetheless, there needs to be respect for one another. V. Proclamations and Presentations A. Winter salt awareness week Proclamation Ellis explained road salt is used to for safety on icy streets, sidewalks, and parking CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA January 07, 2025 Page 2 lots throughout Eden Prairie. Chlorides from salt permanently pollute drinking water, lakes, creeks, and wetlands. Chloride concentrations in Eden Prairie’s water resources are slowly increasing, mainly from winter salt use. Ellis pointed out the City of Eden Prairie is a leader in reducing salt application while maintaining safe roads through the continued efforts of City winter maintenance crews. The public is less aware of the impacts of salt overuse. The focus on salt during Winter Salt Awareness Week will help educate the public on the problems of salt pollution and ways to safely reduce salt use. Case read the proclamation in full. VI. Approval of Agenda and Other Items of Business MOTION: Toomey moved, seconded by Narayanan, to approve the agenda as published. Motion carried 5-0. VII. Minutes MOTION: Narayanan moved, seconded by Freiberg, to approve the minutes of the Council workshop held Tuesday, December 3, 2024, and the City Council meeting held Tuesday, December 3, 2024, as published. Motion carried 5-0. VIII. Consent Calendar A. Clerk’s List B. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-001 establishing meeting dates and times for City Boards and Commissions for 2025 C. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-002 authorizing Treasurer or Deputy Treasurer to invest City of Eden Prairie funds D. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-003 authorizing Treasurer or Deputy Treasurer to make electronic fund transfers for City of Eden Prairie E. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-004 authorizing City officials to transact banking business F. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-005 designating depository G. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-006 authorizing use of facsimile signatures by public officials H. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-007 authorizing payment of certain claims by Finance department without prior council approval CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA January 07, 2025 Page 3 I. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-008 authorizing expenditure of fiscal year 2025 opioid settlement funds J. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-009 endorsing Safe Routes to School grant application and authorizing execution of grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation K. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-010 authorizing execution of Safe Road Zones grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation L. Approve investment policy M. Approve legislative services agreement with Lockridge Grindal Nauen N. Approve purchase of a mini-caliber tracked robot O. Approve professional services agreement amendment for Prairie Center Drive pavement rehabilitation project construction administration services with SRF Consulting Group P. Approve professional services agreement amendment for Prairie Center Drive and Franlo Road intersection improvements construction administration services with SRF Consulting Group Q. Authorize purchase of a salt crusher dirt pulverizing bucket with hydraulic hoses and loader mount R. Authorize purchase of two portable changeable message boards S. Approve upgrade to electronic plan review software as a service with Avolve T. Declare obsolete computer equipment as surplus and authorize disposal U. Approve renewal of towing services agreement between the City of Eden Prairie and Allen’s Service, Inc. doing business as (DBA) Matt’s Auto Service MOTION: Nelson moved, seconded by Toomey, to approve Items A-U on the Consent Calendar. Motion carried 5-0. IX. Public Hearings and Meetings X. Payment of Claims MOTION: Toomey moved, seconded by Narayanan, to approve the payment of claims as submitted. Motion was approved on a roll call vote, with Freiberg, Narayanan, Nelson, Toomey and Case voting “aye.” CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA January 07, 2025 Page 4 XI. Ordinances and Resolutions A. First reading of Ordinance amending Chapter 9 related to fences and vision impacts Klima stated in August 2024 the City Council directed Staff to research an amendment to regulate electrified and barbed wire fencing in in the City. This type of fencing can be an attractive nuisance to children and cause harm when placed inappropriately. Klima stated Chapter 11 limits fence height to 7 feet but currently does not address fencing materials. Chapter 11 also addresses traffic sight distances being maintained at intersections due to fencing or landscape plantings. Klima noted the proposed ordinance consolidates fence regulations from the zoning code into one location in Chapter 9 for user clarity. The ordinance provides definitions, height limitations, and permitting requirements. The ordinance also outlines permitted and prohibited materials, consistent with current practice. The ordinance allows barbed wire and above ground electric wire fencing in certain areas and situations, including government and infrastructure uses, the airport, and in agricultural areas, or temporary invasive species mitigation. The regulations are generally consistent with those of peer cities. Freiberg asked if barbed wire and razor wire are considered the same per the proposed ordinance. Klima stated the list of prohibited materials is not exhaustive. Both barb wire and razor wire would not be allowed. MOTION: Nelson moved, seconded by Toomey, to approve the first reading of the Ordinance to amend Chapter 9 relative to fences and vision impacts. Motion carried 5-0. XII. Petitions, Requests, and Communications XIII. Appointments A. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-011 designating official City newspaper Case stated the designation is required on an annual basis. MOTION: Toomey moved, seconded by Narayanan, to adopt Resolution No. 2025-011 designating the Eden Prairie Sun Sailor as the official City newspaper for the year 2025. Motion carried 5-0. B. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-012 designating official meeting dates, time, and place for City council in 2025 and appointing acting mayor CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA January 07, 2025 Page 5 Case noted State Statute requires each city to appoint an Acting Mayor. Eden Prairie typically elects the most longstanding member as acting mayor. MOTION: Narayanan moved, seconded by Freiberg, to adopt Resolution No. 2025-012 designating official meeting dates, time, and place for the City of Eden Prairie Council in 2025 and appointing Council Member Kathy Nelson as Acting Mayor. Motion carried 5-0. C. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-013 appointing Commissioners to Eden Prairie Housing and Redevelopment Authority MOTION: Freiberg moved, seconded by Narayanan, to adopt Resolution No. 2025-013 appointing City Council Members to serve as Commissioners for the Eden Prairie Housing and Redevelopment Authority and appointing Ron Case as Chair, Rick Getschow as Executive Director, and Council Member Kathy Nelson as secretary for the year 2025. Motion carried 5-0. D. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-014 appointing Director and Alternate Director to Suburban Rate Authority MOTION: Toomey moved, seconded by Nelson, to adopt Resolution No. 2025- 014 designating Public Works Director Robert Ellis as the Director and Council Member Mark Freiberg as the Alternate Director to the Suburban Rate Authority. Motion carried 5-0. E. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-015 appointing Municipal Representatives to the Fire Relief Association Board of Trustees MOTION: Narayanan moved, seconded by Toomey, to adopt Resolution No. 2025-015 appointing Council Member Kathy Nelson and Finance Manager Tammy Wilson to the Eden Prairie Fire Relief Association. Motion carried 5-0. F. Appointment of Delegate and Council Members as Alternates to National League of Cities MOTION: Nelson moved, seconded by Freiberg, to approve appointment of Mayor Ron Case as Delegate and Council Members as Alternates to the National League of Cities. Motion carried 5-0. G. Appointment to Municipal Legislative Commission MOTION: Narayanan moved, seconded by Freiberg, to approve appointment of Mayor Ron Case and Council Member Lisa Toomey as alternate to the Municipal Legislative Commission. Motion carried 5-0. H. Appointment to Southwest Cable Commission CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA January 07, 2025 Page 6 MOTION: Nelson moved, seconded by Narayanan, to approve appointment of Council Member Mark Freiberg to the Southwest Cable Commission. Motion carried 5-0. I. Appointment to I-494 Commission MOTION: Narayanan moved, seconded by Nelson, to approve appointment of Council Member Lisa Toomey to the I-494 Corridor Commission. Motion carried 5-0. J. Appointment of Assistant Weed Inspector Case pointed out under State Statute, the Mayor is the City Weed Inspector and appointment of an Assistant Weed Inspector thereby relieves the Mayor or City Council of those duties as required by Minnesota State Statute. MOTION: Toomey moved, seconded by Narayanan, to approve appointment of Forestry and Natural Resources Supervisor Karli Wittner as Assistant Weed Inspector for the City of Eden Prairie. Motion carried 5-0. K. Appointment to Southwest Transit Commission MOTION: Nelson moved, seconded by Narayanan, to approve appointment of Council Member Lisa Toomey to the Southwest Transit Board as the Eden Prairie Appointed Representative for a two-year term to end December 31, 2026. Motion carried 5-0. Case provided details on the composition of the Commission. Freiberg noted the Southwest Transit Commission will approve the seventh representative. Per Council consensus, Greg Leeper is the recommended appointment. XIV. Reports A. Reports of Council Members B. Report of City Manager C. Report of Community Development Director i. Update to the Community Development 2023-2027 Strategic Plan Klima explained the latest version of the Community Development Strategic Plan was originally approved by Council in 2022. The Strategic CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA January 07, 2025 Page 7 Plan includes information on Community Development focus areas and efforts related to the Race Equity initiative, housing programs and initiatives, economic development partnerships, development and redevelopment opportunity sites, and funding sources for programs and initiatives. Klima noted Staff is proposing a few minor updates to the Strategic Plan to address a new funding source, namely Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA), for housing programs and a large rehab project planned at St. Johns Woods. Klima provided information on LAHA requirements and outcomes. She showed a chart of proposed LAHA spending. Klima detailed the St. Johns Woods project and the City’s assistance in the rehabilitation effort. Narayanan asked if recipients of financial support as new homeowners are required to live in the home for a certain amount of time. Klima stated the loan is forgivable if the homeowner lives in the house for 30 years. If the homeowner sells the home, the funds would be repaid to the City. Narayanan asked how the funds are received by the City. Klima stated it comes through the Department of Revenue. MOTION: Narayanan moved, seconded by Freiberg, to approve the updates 2023 through 2027 Community Development Strategic Plan. Motion carried 5-0. D. Report of Parks and Recreation Director E. Report of Public Works Director F. Report of Police Chief G. Report of Fire Chief H. Report of City Attorney XV. Other Business XVI. Adjournment MOTION: Toomey moved, seconded by Narayanan, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. Mayor Case adjourned the meeting at 7:47 p.m. CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA January 07, 2025 Page 8 Respectfully Submitted, ______________________________ Sara Potter, Administrative Support Specialist